The Ayuso Family

Juan Ayuso and his son, Severo, carving at Steinway Place on Long Island

From STEINWAY by Ronald V. Ratcliffe

The Ayuso family, father and two sons, were responsible for the elaboration of numerous pianos for Steinway & sons. Juan Ayuso was a French citizen, born in Bordeaux to parents who had emigrated from the Basque region of Spain in 1848. Juan and his sons Eugene and Severo were principally wood carvers and their ornate designs reflect great craftsmanship in shaping instrument cases – including the wooden legs, pedal lyres, and music desks – into the most graceful and intricate forms.

Ayuso-carved Steinways were coveted by the elite. Wealthy citizens like F.W. Woolworth, George J. Gould and Cornelius Vanderbilt commissioned Steinway’s gifted artist to carve custom piano cases for their estates. His famous Steinway 50th Anniversary piano designed for the White house and now resting in the Smithsonian showcased his exceptional talent. Intricate seals of the thirteen original American colonies were meticulously carved around the piano as Juan turned wood into treasured art.